i^l i: 175 3 



'Wiien the eggs assume a whitish hue, the worm is formed: cover the 

 •3ggs with white paper, (never use a newspaper,) pierced full of holes 

 the size of a large knitting needle; the worms when hatched will creep 

 through them: turnup the edges of the paper to prevent their crawling 

 off. Lay twigs of the mulberry, having two or three dry and young 

 leaves, on the paper, to collect the worms, and more as they continue 

 to mount. For want of mulberry leaves, feed for a short time upon « 

 lettuce leaves, perfectly dry; if large, they should be cut in strips, and 

 the mid -rib thrown aside. The worms first hatched are the strongest; 

 nevertheless, if only a few come out on the first day, give them away» 

 to save trouble, and depend upon those which appear on the second 

 and third days. Give away, also, the produce of the fourth day, and 

 then the whole stock will go on regularly. If it be wished to rear all 

 that are hatched, endeavor to keep the produce of each day separate, 

 by numbering the boxes and shelves. When the leaves on the twigs 

 are loaded with worms, the boxes containing them are to be removed 

 to a new apartment, and the worms gently placed on clean stout white 

 paper, laid on frames filled with crossed rattans, (see plate 2, fig. 3,)' 

 giving them a plenty of room. The shelves over which these frames 

 should slide, may be four feet square, and fixed to upright posts, (p. 55;) 

 or the apparatus of the Rev. Mr. Swayne may be used to great advan- 

 tage; (see p. 56, and the description.) They may be multiplied as re- 

 quired. Whether a distinct building or apartment in a dwelling house 

 be devoted to a large parcel, it is absolutely necessary to secure the 

 command of a gentle circulation of air, by having ventilators in the 

 windows,* floors, and doors. (Seep. 55.) Red ants are deadly ene-* 

 mies to silkworms. To prevent their attacks, the posts containing fixed 

 shelves ought not to touch the ceiling, nor must the shelves reach the 

 walls; their legs should be smeared with thick molasses; those of Mr. 

 Swayne's moveable frame may also be thus treated, or they may stand 

 in a plate of water. Guard also against cockroaches and mice™ 



The worms being all hatched, whether they are to remain in the first 

 apartment, or be removed to a distinct building, the heat must be re- 

 duced to 75°, for as the worms grow older they require less heat. 



When a large quantity of worms are to be removed from the boxes, 

 the task is to be performed in the manner directed in p. 69. The mode 

 of transporting a parcel to a distance, is also given in p. 70. 



First xige. 



That is, until the worms have passed their first moulting, or changed 

 their first skin. 



The apartment must be light, but the sun must not shine on the 

 worms in any stage. 



Feed the worms with the most tender leaves, four times a day, al- 

 lowing six hours between each meal, giving the smallest quantity for 



• One or more tin circular ventilators, in place of panes of glass, would always se- 

 •:uve a regular circulation in the apartment; they could be stopped when their niotioi: 

 ^ ■ not required. 



IP 



